It's been many months since I last updated my blog. But I'm back now and with your encouragement (and God's help) I'll continue with my stories of happenings at and through Abounding Grace!
The most important thing is Tonight is the First night we have company seeking shelter out of the cold and wet winter weather. My first thought as I typed this was of Mary and Joseph so many, many years ago looking for shelter for the night far away in another place. But that story is for another time! Anyway, tonight at Abounding Grace our guests will be just 6 men needing a safe, warm place to sleep. With the help of our friends at the Salvation Army, these men will be transported to our Fellowship Hall. There they will each help gather a cot, blankets, & pillow to arrange a sleeping area in one end of that great room. Near the kitchen tables & chairs are set for a hot meal to warm our travelers. Volunteers from our church or from Fountain of Life, bring or prepare the dinner on site. Hot coffee, tea or cocoa is available. A prayer before the meal is expected and when asked, one of our guests are usually more than happy to lead the grace! After serving dinner, our helpers then grab a plate and join our guests for a bit of table conversation and to make our new friends feel at home. When the table is cleared it's time for more chatting and a movie is started. Some of our guests are so tired, they can't wait to curl up in the blankets and fall right to sleep. A couple of church volunteers stay the night to make sure all is well and be there if any assistance is needed. In the morning, our guests are greeted with a hot breakfast delivered or prepare by other volunteers. Everyone helps to put away the bedding and soon it's time for the Salvation Army van to arrive and pick up our new friends. But before they leave each man will receive a sack lunch prepared with love by... you guessed it, MORE volunteers! Some times we have more volunteers than guests! That's okay though, because didn't Jesus ask us to love even the poor, the homeless, and the lost. By opening our doors to offer food and shelter to those in need of even a smidgen of His love may be just what they need to give them hope. Together we plant a small seed of faith. Then step back and let God work his miracles.
Peace be with you!
Grace Anne Love
Friday, December 17, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Love Offering Dolls: Gracie & Gregory
There's a group of busy people bringing joy to the hearts of others. And what could put a smile on a face faster than a doll???
For almost two years now, a dear lady named Cheryl has guided several others at Abounding Grace in the cutting out, sewing, stuffing and decorating of a easy 2 piece pattern to make soft, comforting dolls to be given away to anybody wanting one. That's right - giving away. Simple dolls made of soft fabrics, stuffed with batting and lots of love are formed with the hands of many different volunteers. Some cut out patterns, other folks sew the two pieces together, different people may add the batting, while still others paint the faces and decorations on every doll. Each little doll is handled by one or more individuals and given just a bit more love to pass on to the next person that receives it. They're called Love Offering Dolls!
And just who receives these Love Dolls? Why anybody who wants one! They have been given to local fire & police departments to give comfort to a child in a traumatic situation. Dolls have found their way into the VA hospital and other medical centers to give hope to those who are ill. Some have gone to assisted living centers and brought smiles to those who need a helping hand in their daily lives. Still more have travel out of Tucson, out of Arizona, and even out of the USA to deliver their message of Love.
Hundreds of dolls have gone out and more are continually being created. Requests keep coming in for more dolls. So if you would like to help with this Love Offering Doll ministry, just contact me and I'll send your message on to Cheryl.
And in case you forgot... I'm Grace Anne Love
Dolls have been given to children for centuries; cuddled, collected and cherished. They have been created out of various kinds of materials. Carved out of wood, molded from clay or sewn from scraps of fabric. They were stuffed with sweet grasses, sand, or left over bits of yarn. All were created with ... love...
For almost two years now, a dear lady named Cheryl has guided several others at Abounding Grace in the cutting out, sewing, stuffing and decorating of a easy 2 piece pattern to make soft, comforting dolls to be given away to anybody wanting one. That's right - giving away. Simple dolls made of soft fabrics, stuffed with batting and lots of love are formed with the hands of many different volunteers. Some cut out patterns, other folks sew the two pieces together, different people may add the batting, while still others paint the faces and decorations on every doll. Each little doll is handled by one or more individuals and given just a bit more love to pass on to the next person that receives it. They're called Love Offering Dolls!
And just who receives these Love Dolls? Why anybody who wants one! They have been given to local fire & police departments to give comfort to a child in a traumatic situation. Dolls have found their way into the VA hospital and other medical centers to give hope to those who are ill. Some have gone to assisted living centers and brought smiles to those who need a helping hand in their daily lives. Still more have travel out of Tucson, out of Arizona, and even out of the USA to deliver their message of Love.
And in case you forgot... I'm Grace Anne Love
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